Jalen Brunson scored 33 points as the New York Knicks routed the Chicago Bulls 135-105 on Wednesday night, 4 November 2026, at Madison Square Garden — and made a piece of franchise history along the way.
The Knicks scored 84 points in the first half, 43 in the first quarter and 41 in the second, tying the franchise record for points in a first half set on 18 November 1988 against the 76ers. The mark had stood for 38 years.
It was the first game in Knicks history with 40 or more points in each of the first two quarters, and the 84 points were the most the Knicks have ever scored in any half at the current Madison Square Garden.
Brunson scored 22 of his 33 points in the first quarter alone, outscoring the entire Bulls team, who managed 21, in the opening 12 minutes. He shot 10 of 17 from the field.
The Knicks shot 63 per cent from the field in the first half, including 50 per cent from three-point range, after entering the game averaging just 51.6 first-half points — the third-worst mark in the NBA.
Karl-Anthony Towns added 17 points and 12 rebounds, and OG Anunoby scored 18 points. The Knicks led by as many as 44 points in the second half.
The win moved the defending champion Knicks to 4-4 and was their fourth win in five games after an 0-3 start. The Bulls lost their sixth straight game.
For a team that started the season slowly, the first half against Chicago was a statement. The Knicks looked like champions again — fast, ruthless and almost impossible to stop. Madison Square Garden has seen plenty of famous nights, and this one now sits in the record books.
It was a huge week for NBA scoring, from Victor Wembanyama’s 52 points against the Mavericks to Luka Doncic’s 40 points in the Lakers’ third straight win.
Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.